Gulf's sperm whales won't get separate protections, feds say

The Gulf of Mexico's sperm whales do not warrant a separate listing under the Endangered Species Act, the federal government concluded this week after nine months of study.

The National Marine Fisheries Service said the population fails to meet the requirements to be considered distinct from other sperm whales, which in general already receive protections as an endangered species in U.S. waters.

The finding comes in response to a petition by WildEarth Guardians. The New Mexico-based environmental group argued that the Gulf's isolated population of 1,300 sperm whales is genetically different than those found in other oceans and faces unique threats because of oil and gas development and a low-oxygen dead zone caused by runoff from the Mississippi River.

"We're disappointed in the decision," said Taylor Jones of WildEarth Guardians. "It implies that if the population of sperm whales in the Gulf disappears completely, that's not a problem."

Other whale species

The government lists six species of whales as endangered in the Gulf, including the blue and humpback, but only the sperm whale congregates year-round. They are smaller in size than their brethren and are found in smaller groups.

The subspecies also makes distinctive sounds because the cold canyons where the whales feed are entirely dark. They also use clicking and buzzing sounds to find their prey - a natural form of sonar known as echolocation.

Some evidence lacking

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But the federal agency concluded: "The weight of the evidence does not indicate the (Gulf of Mexico) population of the sperm whale is 'markedly separated' from other populations."

Other research shows the Gulf's sperm whales can sustain no more than three human-caused deaths each year without threatening its recovery from endangered status. But scientists have said there is no evidence of a population decline in the area because of industrial activity.